Story Title: After the Rain
Rating: K
Genre: Romance and Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fanfiction.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I sure hope you all had a good new years celebration. I realized that there hasn't been anything about Zack and Aerith in the story for a while. Maybe I should bring their little moments back? Anyhow, break is over and school is starting. The story may go on hold for a while. I deeply apologize!

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Chapter 14
Even if we were to hold hands

Time passed quickly while Cloud was away. He was surprised he lived through so many months without Tifa and the others. At first, he had expected that he may just give up all together and move back. However, Cid and Shera welcomed him with warm hearts that they were like his home away from home. Shera encouraged him whenever he was having trouble with school, and Cid lectured and yelled at him about life problems. It was a bit strange, but soon they had begun to be like family to Cloud. Yet, the happier he felt, the memories of his life back home became heavier. He felt as if he were abandoning them.

"Is that how you feel?" said Shera when Cloud had told her how he felt. "If that's so, then maybe you should do something about it."

Cid's words weren't helping matters. "All he'll be able to do is sulk in the corner!"

In the end, Cid did manage to say one thing that Cloud was able to think about. "Don't let them forget why they didn't want you to leave in the first place." Cid had said solemnly one day. "It's up to you to figure out how."

It took Cloud another couple of days to sort out his thoughts. During those days, he often called Tifa to talk to her. How he loved the sound of her voice more than anything. Zack even called at times to complain about how his plans with Aerith always went downhill. Cloud would tell him, "Keep trying." And though Zack went on and on about how hopeless he felt, he'd call again the next day telling Cloud all about his new plan. On rare occasions, Cloud would call Aerith and they'd have a nice comfortable talk. She felt like a person Cloud could confide to, but if what he told her would be too much of a burden to keep a secret, he didn't want to say anything.

Finally, Cloud decided what to do. He was going back for a surprise visit.

Cid yelled in surprise when Cloud told him. "What? Just like that? Without telling them?"

"Yeah. I think they deserve the surprise." Cloud said, spinning his spoon around in his jug.

"Well, I guess. The thing is, when are you leaving and for how long?"

"Tomorrow for one week."

"Tomorrow? And a whole week no less!" Cid slapped his face. "Who's going to fill in for you?"

Cloud smiled nervously. "I haven't asked anyone yet…"

"What am I supposed to do with ya, kid? Sheesh…"

"You should let me take this one week off and give everyone else a break." Cloud suggested.

"You better make the most out of this."

"I plan to."

---

The morning of Cloud's return was nerve racking.

"Will they be angry that I didn't mention anything?" Cloud kept wondering when he boarded the train. All he brought along with him was some clothes and his toothbrush. When the train stopped at the familiar station he used to walk by every morning, Cloud took a deep breath, gathered his things, and stepped out. The first place he wanted to go to was home. He took a taxi ride home and was dropped off at his house. Looking across the street, he checked to see if Tifa was home. The curtains in her room were drawn shut and the building looked lifeless. However, her father's car was parked outside the driveway.

Cloud knocked on the front door of his house. He hoped his mother was still home at least. After a few moments, the door opened. Cloud gasped and dropped his suitcase—it was Tifa. His first thought was why she was at his house, but that quickly flew out of his mind. She appeared just as shock as he was. Her hands were brought to her mouth as she uttered in a shaking voice, "Cloud…?"

"Yeah. It's me, Tifa." Cloud assured, smiling.

"Tifa? Who is it?" asked the warm voice of Cloud's mother. She too gasped when she saw Cloud. Tears quickly formed at her eyes, and she cried, "Oh! Cloud! You're back!" she stepped out to hug her son as he returned the gesture. "Welcome home!"

"I'm home." Cloud said. When his mother pulled away, Tifa's father had also appeared to see what the commotion was. His eyes widened at the sight of Cloud standing before the doorstep.

"Sonny! You're back!" He seemed healthier than ever. Cloud was glad to see that.

"I'm back."

"And so suddenly! You sure make quite an entrance." The grown man's eyes seemed to twinkle with tears, but he quickly changed the subject, "What brings you back, m'boy? Tell us all about it." Cloud was invited inside. He hadn't expected Tifa or her father to be at his house. She was also rather quiet this evening. She sat down beside her father, away from Cloud. He wondered if there was something wrong. There wasn't much time for him to ponder, for he was busy telling them about all that's happened and why he chose to come back. He didn't know how long it was going to take just to answer their questions. Tifa was sitting quietly by herself, not uttering a word and avoiding his gaze.

It seemed there was no way of getting out. He was happy that they were so happy to see him, but Tifa's silence troubled him. And there was no way he could simply ask her in front of the adults. No doubt would they chime in. Though it was hard, Cloud continued answering their questions even if he felt it would kill him.

"Sorry for keeping you." Tifa's father said after hours of talking. "We're just really happy to see you're doing well."

"Thanks." Cloud said, discreetly sighing with relief.

"Cloud, if you're ever tired, just head on up to your room." Cloud's mother said. "I've left everything the way it was since you left."

Cloud thanked his mother and she went up to bed. Tifa's father walked home, apparently sleepy himself. It was getting rather late since Cloud had shocked everyone with his abrupt visit. Tifa bid her father good night, but stayed behind with Cloud. He was still uncertain as to why she was so distant during the past hours. He stepped outside the front porch with her and closed the front door. It was a chilly night, but at the moment he was numb to everything else.

"Tifa?" Cloud dared utter her name in the silence.

She turned around slowly to face him. Her eyes appeared shiny in the night. Or was it just because the stars were reflecting in them? Either way, she looked about ready to cry. Cloud held his breath when he saw her lips moving. "I'm… sorry for acting so strange…" she clasped her hands and looked away. She didn't have the same shyness as before. What Cloud sensed from her was… unspoken happiness.

"I'm just… so glad to see you…" Only when she said those words did she start crying. But she didn't wipe them away. She let them fall silently down her cheek. "I'm so happy… so happy... that you're here." She said shakily. Cloud smiled. He was glad she felt that way. That she was so happy, she cried. He approached her and dabbed her wet cheeks with his hands.

"I'm here." Cloud said, bending down close to her. "And always will be."

"Yeah…" Tifa blushed and wiped her tears. "You are."

Though it was late, they walked to the park together and sat on the swings. The streetlight nearby was lit quite dim, but it was enough for Cloud and Tifa. The swing squeaked as Tifa swung slightly back and forth, a bright smile on her face. She appeared to be happy just as long as Cloud was there, even if no words were exchanged. He watched her happily. After a moment, she said, "I really was surprised when you suddenly showed up on the doorstep. I thought I was hallucinating."

"Yeah, I thought so. Sorry." He chuckled and rubbed his neck.

"No. Don't be. I'm just glad that it really was you." She swung back and forth, keeping her feet on the ground, then she asked, "What about Zack?"

"Huh?"

"He'll be really sad if he was the last one to know that you're here. Aerith too, she'd be so happy to see you again."

"Yeah. I'm not sure if I should call them though."

"Why not?"

"They might come running right over, and I won't get any decent sleep."

Tifa giggled. "That's true."

"I should call them anyway." Cloud said, against his better judgment.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Cloud picked up his cell phone and dialed Zack's number. After only one ring, Zack immediately picked up. "Hey." Said a rather non-energetic Zack. He must've been sleeping.

"Hey, Zack." Cloud said, suppressing a grin.

"What is it?" Zack yawned. "It better be good."

"I'm back."

It took Zack a few seconds to process the data into his brain before he screamed, "What!"

"You heard me."

"How come I didn't hear about this until now?"

"I wasn't able to get away until now."

"Damn! Where are you?"

"At the local park, but—"

Zack interrupted. "I'm coming there right now!"

"No!" Cloud cried, hastily.

"Why not?" Zack demanded.

"…I need this time alone." Cloud said quietly. "Please understand."

Zack stayed quiet on the other end as he thought about it. Then he finally agreed, saying, "Fill me in later. All right?"

"Sure." Cloud hung up shortly after that and called up Aerith. She too was sleeping and had pretty much the same reaction as Zack. After Cloud gave her the same reason he gave Zack as to why she shouldn't come, she too gave up. However, she didn't ask him to fill her in on the details. She most likely was going to ask Tifa about it later.

"That's over with…" Cloud said tiredly, putting away his phone.

"How did they take it?" Tifa asked.

"Pretty well." Cloud said, laughing a bit.

"Mm." Tifa continued to swing back and forth. The creaks of the swing filled in the silence. "Think we should go back now?"

"Yeah, I think so." Cloud stood and waited for Tifa. Along the way, he stood close to her for the road was dark. He also felt somewhat like her protector, being the male he was. Though, he wasn't sure what she'd say if he told her that, so he kept it to himself. When they neared their neighborhood, a group of teenagers their age were passing by. They all appeared to be seemingly innocent; nonetheless the group was quite big. Cloud took Tifa's hand and pulled her closer to him. In response, Tifa held his hand tight, and catching a glimpse of his smile, smiled in return. The girls in the group that passed by stared at them with adoration as the guys awkwardly walked by, trying not to catch eyesight.

When Cloud and Tifa were alone again, they continued to hold onto each other's hands. Tifa moved closer to him, and he completely felt the warmth of her body. He only had one week to spend with her, and this was just the beginning.